Self-Portrait 1820

This is a self-portrait by Henry Raeburn, made with oil on canvas in the late 18th or early 19th century. The material here—oil paint— is significant. It allowed for unprecedented naturalism, and became the medium of choice for portraying the rising bourgeois class. Look closely, and you can see how Raeburn has deployed the fluidity of oil to create a soft, flattering likeness. The very process of layering thin glazes, one after another, creates a feeling of depth and presence. Notice the way his hand is rendered, with careful attention to light and shadow. This wasn't just a technical feat; it was a social transaction. By mastering this medium, Raeburn rose through the ranks of Scottish society, becoming the portraitist of choice for Edinburgh's elite. So, next time you look at an oil painting, remember that you are also seeing the material embodiment of a specific moment in economic and social history.